Angkor Wat
From Archiplanet
 | Angkor Wat |
| Designer | unknown |
| Location | Cambodia, Southeast Asia |
| Date | 1140 |
| Building Type | Hindu temple |
| Climate | tropical |
| Context | rural |
| Architectural Style | Khmer Hindu |
| Street Address | |
| Notes | Perhaps world's largest religious structure. |
| At Great Buildings | http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/Angkor_Wat.html |
Contents |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | |
| Name | Angkor |
| UNESCO State Party | Cambodia |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| UNESCO Site ID | 668 |
| Endangered | 1992-2004 |
| Year of Listing | 1992 |
Commentary
"Angkor's overall layout was originally enclosed by a vast wall (now almost completely vanished) within which was a wide moat embracing the entire temple compound. Through a propylaea one traverses a lengthy causeway to the outermost of three walled, nearly square palisades that enclose the temple area proper. Continuing past courtyards containing two libraries and places for meditation, one arrives at the innermost sanctum, resting on a high podium and reached by challengingly steep stairs reminiscent of those in Mayan temples. An elaborately layered, unmortared stone tower crowns the center, rising to a height of 213 feet, with similar but slightly lower towers in each corner. Their sovereign profile is memorable."
"Angkor Wat was a religious compound and sepulchre for the god-king of a scope never seen before or after. Of unknown architect, this high point of Khmer culture was abandoned in 1431, when the area fell to the Thais."
— from G.E. Kidder Smith. Looking at Architecture. p50.
"Angkor is the most important monument of the south-east Asian Khmer Empire and the world’s largest sacred temple. Built during the reign of King Suryavaman, at the beginning of the 12th century, Angkor is noted for its intricate ornamentation and striking beauty. With its water moats, concentric walls and magnificent temple mountain in the center, Angkor Wat symbolizes the Hindu cosmos, with its oceans at the periphery and the Meru mountain at the center of its universe." — http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php?id=386
Details
The complex measures 4,250 by 5,000 feet.
The central tower is 215' tall.
[edit] Related Content from Wikipedia
Angkor
See a related page at Wikipedia for additional information.
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[edit] References
In the Shadow of Angkor Wat. 1997. VHS-NTSC format video tape. ISBN 0780020197.— Video - Available at Amazon.com
Eleanor Mannikka. Angkor Wat : Time, Space, and Kingship. University of Hawaii Press, October 1996. ISBN 0824817206. — The definitive complete reference on Angkor Wat. Available at Amazon.com
John Julius Norwich, ed. Great Architecture of the World. London: Mitchell Beazley Publishers, 1975. photo, axonometric drawing, p29.— An inspiring and informative overview of world architecture, with lots of full-color cutaway drawings, and clear explanations. Available at Amazon.com
G. E. Kidder Smith. Looking at Architecture. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Publishers, 1990. ISBN 0-8109-3556-2. LC 90-30728. NA200.S57 1990. context photo, p50. discussion, p50.— Available at Amazon.com
[edit] External Links
Finalist in the New Seven Wonders international architectural landmarks contest.
